The 2025 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine has been jointly awarded to Mary E. Brunkow, Fred Ramsdell, and Shimon Sakaguchi for their groundbreaking discoveries concerning peripheral immune tolerance.
Their research revealed how the immune system distinguishes between harmful invaders and the body’s own cells, preventing autoimmune diseases by regulating immune responses.
The laureates identified regulatory T cells, often described as the immune system’s “security guards,” which play a crucial role in stopping immune cells from attacking the body’s tissues.
This discovery has laid the foundation for new research and the development of innovative treatments for autoimmune disorders, cancer, and complications from organ transplants.
Shimon Sakaguchi first uncovered the existence of these regulatory cells, and Brunkow and Ramsdell further identified the key FOXP3 gene crucial for their function.
The Nobel Assembly at the Karolinska Institute in Sweden announced the award on October 6, 2025. The prize includes 11 million Swedish kronor (about $1.2 million), which the three scientists will share equally.
Their work has transformed the understanding of immune system functionality and holds promise for medical therapies to combat autoimmune diseases and improve cancer treatment outcomes.
The award ceremony is scheduled for December 10, coinciding with the anniversary of Alfred Nobel’s death, the founder of the Nobel Prizes.
This prestigious recognition highlights a major scientific breakthrough with significant implications for human health worldwide.
